"Biggest Trekkie on the Planet" convinced Nichelle Nichols to keep playing Uhura on Star Trek

[Martin Eden]

Interesting story I came across in the Chicago Tribune today (googled and found this link):

"I actually was going to leave the show and spoke to Gene Roddenberry after the first season ... and I don't think any of us realized the magnitude of what Gene had created and how incredible it was that we were chosen to play these people that influenced others and changed people's lives in such dynamic and positive ways.

"When I went in and told him I was thinking of leaving because I was being offered roles that were going where I wanted them to go -- musical theater -- it was a Friday I'll never forget. He said, 'You can't do this. Don't you realize what I'm trying to get done here?' I said, 'Well, I think you've done a fantastic job, Gene.' He said, 'OK, take the weekend and think about it, and if you still feel that way Monday morning you'll go with my blessings.' "

The next day she attended an NAACP fundraiser, when one of the promoters told her there was a fan who wanted to meet her. "So I thought it was a Trekker. And I said, 'Oh, certainly.' I got up and crossed the room to meet the face of Dr. Martin Luther King. I remember thinking, 'Whoever that Trekker is he's going to have to wait.' And he smiled and said, 'I am the biggest Trekkie on the planet.' "

"I've never been at a loss for words," she says, "but my mouth just opened and closed. I was stunned. He told me how important the role was and the manner I'd developed the character, with strength and dignity. All I could say was, 'Thank you so much, Dr. King, I'm going to miss my co-stars.' I said, 'I'm leaving the show.' He said, 'You cannot leave. It can wait. It's part of history now. This man has made this show that projects 300 years from now. This is who we are and we are beginning here, and you're representing us. You cannot leave because nobody can replace you. Only you.'

Link:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11005/1115496-67.stm

[Drale]

1. There was a documentary was back in the day I think

it was for the 25th or 30th anniversary of the original show, in which she said that. Just another reason for the bullies of the republican party to hate the geeky among us.

[Peace Patriot]

2. What a fantastic story! Thanks for posting!

This (white) Trekkie was well aware, back then, of how important Nichelle Nichols was to the civil rights movement AND the women's movement. Here was a no-nonsense, professional, business-like, super-competent. black. woman. in a critically important officer position on the ship-of-the-future. She was a hero to all who wanted civil rights and social justice for blacks and women, and all excluded groups. The show had some typically trivialized takes on women--sort of standard issue romantic stuff for hero Kirk--along with the "skirts" (the Enterprise servant girls in mini-skirt uniforms). This made Uhuru's character all the more important. She never ever got tagged for sex or race. She was just a WHOLE PERSON. This was the "wave" of the future. I knew it then, back in the '60s, when this show was first broadcast. And I had no idea that she almost quit, and certainly no idea of WHO stopped her from quitting. What a story!

[LibraryQ3]

3. Very inspirational story

As a Trekkie, I've always loved this story. I wish more women on Television over the years had someone like King to assure them they were making a difference. :)